Packers lead Vikings 17-0 at halftime

Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb (18) leaps into the crowd after an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

/ AP

Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb (18) leaps into the crowd after an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb (18) leaps into the crowd after an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) (/ AP)

After the Packers' defense forced the Vikings to go three-and-out on their first possession, Cobb fielded a punt from Chris Kluwe and squeezed through a seam in the middle of the field. Cobb accelerated down the left sideline and danced the final few steps into the end zone, tossing the ball in the air as if he was shooting a basketball before doing a "Lambeau leap" into the stands.

It was the Packers' first punt return for a touchdown since November 2008.

Cobb, a second-round rookie wide receiver out of Kentucky, also had a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Packers' season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Rodgers finally got the ball at the 9:55 mark in the first quarter and directed an 11-play, 70-yard drive that included conversions on third-and-8, to Donald Driver, and third-and-7, to running back James Starks.

Rodgers then finished the drive with a perfect pass to Jennings in the middle of the field for a touchdown, and the Packers led 14-0 with 5:02 left in the first quarter.

But the Vikings committed a penalty, and Longwell came up just short on a 52-yard attempt.

Rodgers then put together another drive, and Rodgers hit tight end Jermichael Finley for 25 yards on a fourth-and-5 conversion attempt at the Vikings' 34-yard line. Jared Allen sacked Rodgers on first-and-goal, and the Packers ended up settling for a 25-yard field goal by Mason Crosby to take a 17-0 lead with 12:04 left before halftime.

Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder then threw an interception to Packers cornerback Tramon Williams, misfiring on a deep ball after a flea-flicker toss back from Peterson.

The Packers came into Monday night's game as the NFL's only undefeated team at 8-0. Including the playoffs, the Packers had won 14 straight games dating back to last season - the longest such streak in team history.

Rodgers has put together an MVP-type season through the Packers' first eight games, coming into Monday night's game completing 72.5 percent of his passes for 2,619 yards with 24 touchdowns and three interceptions.

But for all the brilliance of Rodgers and the offense, their play has been far from perfect on defense.

Through their first eight games, the Packers have been giving up an average of 299.6 yards passing per game - the second-most in the NFL going into this weekend's games. Green Bay has given up too many big plays, a combination of communication and coverage problems in the secondary and an inconsistent pass rush.

Their last time out, the Packers nearly blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter at San Diego, holding on for a 45-38 victory.

The Packers had a tough time in their Oct. 23 victory over Minnesota at the Metrodome, giving up 175 yards to Adrian Peterson and allowing the Vikings to get back into the game.

The Vikings welcomed back cornerback Antoine Winfield, who had been out since injuring his neck Oct. 2.

Minnesota lost its first four games to start the season, earning a reputation for blowing leads. But the Vikings have been playing better since Ponder took over for deposed starter Donovan McNabb, and Ponder earned his first career victory as a starter in a 24-21 victory at Carolina Oct. 30.